CHRISTMAS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2710, 27 December 1878, Page 2

CHRISTMAS DAY.

This annually recurring season of thanksgiving aud pleasure dawned in sunshine, and was greeted by thousands who were ready to take partin'its tide of joys.- Many persons were out very early and watching" for the car or the steam boat r whilst others, who felt a deeper reverence for the day,welcomed the sounds of bells calling them to matins and pious service. THE SERVICES.

The churches of the city and suburbs were tastily ornamented with flowers - and evergreens, interlined with seasonable texts from scripture. The services commenced at 11 o'clock.

________ St. Mary's, Parnell, the prayers were read by Mr Davis, and a. most impressive sermon preached by Yen. Archdeacon Mauusell. • '."-.,. ' ! .'-•-"

At St. Paul's Cathedral church a j communion service was held at 8 o'clock, at which there ,were 28 communicants. The church was elegantly decorated with evergreens, ferns, and devices of the choicest character. Over the communion table was set the "Star of Bethlehem," worked by lady members cf the congregation. Rev. C. M. Nelson preached a Christmas sermon from the words " Behold I bring you glad tidings," illustrative of the diviue message to the shepherds. a St. Mark's church was well attended and prettily decorated. The sermon foi- the day was preached by Rev. Archdeacon. Pritt from Ps. 59., v. 3L, "My covenant'l will not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." . At St. Sepulchre's four services were held. Communion at 6,45 a.m., choral service at 8, ordinary services at 11 a.in. aud 7.30 p.m. Bishop Cowie preached in the morning from S. Mark c. 11. v. 9., and Rev B. T. Dudley officiated in the evening. St. Matthew's Church .vas garlanded with wreaths of evergreens and Christmas flowers in beautiful order, second'to none of the other churches; The' morning services was conducted by Rev. R. Burrows, and the evening service by Rev. E. J. Phillips, of St. Thomas. ,

St. Patrick's Cathedral was largely attended. There were four religious services. The first Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father, Gallagher at 7.30 a.ml; the second and third at 9 and 11, by Rev. Father O'Dwyer, who preached an impressive discourse. Vespers and Benediction at 7 p.m. were conducted by Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, assisted by Rev. Father O'Dwyer. Masses were also celebrated by Rev. Father Walter Macdonald at H.M. Gaol, at 7.30 a.m.. and at St. Francis of Sales' Church atv9ahd i'l J The services throughout .were 'solemn: , and. impressive. The altar decorations, ,of an imposiug nature, were attended to by the Sisters of Mercy. ■"'-■ - The English Church of All Saints bore evidences of the season, and an "appropriate' discourse .was delivered, by, the Rev.jE. N. Bree. .Ay . ~.:-,. ; -'

An interesting-floral service Was held on; Chsistmas morning iv the Wellesley-street Baptist Church, and an appropriate discourse delivered by Rev. Allan-Webb from .the text "For .into: u& a ehildais born." Among the congregation - was'1 Reif. .P. H. Coriiford, the "early pastor of the/Church, :.who:.issist'ed in.-the'intrOductoi-jFpart \6i • the service. The choir sang severaLsfclhristm as and other hymns on the occasion.: The.: collection on behalf of -the infirm and aged" belonging to the church-aniormted to £13. CHRISTMAS CAIROLS. The Cityaud Engineer .Bands under direction of Mr Impey, performed a number of carols and other pieces on the Barrack greci^ybn Christmas , Eve to the delight .of hundreds of listeners, concluding with' the National Anthem. cThe' choir,of thevFranklin Koad Primitive Methodist Chhpel, under the direction of Mr Salt, paraded the streets of City West, and sang a number of old-fashioned carols, whioh floated on the night breezes pleasantly, like memories of other years. THE STRAWBERRY GARDENS. A considerable number of persons, with . their families, crossed over. ; by steamers to the North Shore, both on Christmas and Boxing Days, to inhale the fresh" breezes over that, surburban locality, and enjoy their annual treat of strawberries, and cream. The visitors, however, were hot so numerous as on some previous occasions, owing to the threatening aspect of the Aveather. We noticed great improvements in Willow Grove Gardens in more than one respect, and a splendid array of passion fruit. Cpbley's Beach was visited by a few picknicians,..an6_ others found their way into the-sylvan glades of ■yA- VAU^HALIFGARDENS, , A very pleasant retirement, which has , been enlarged and put into good floral trim by the proprietor,' Mr Wells. The strawberries here are vefy1 fine this year,' and the _apple.:t_;ees fiitf qf promise.- ,[v ; .the igreenl house we noticed a-splehdid. riheladen with: grapes,-amon^the'-'hnest we have seen in this, part, of thcnproviu.ee., f ,There. are - rhany? quiet n'ooks__iii_.lthese gaictens,1 'MniirabljF suited for, picnic parties, and whale ."ah" r.excellent.cup., of, tea .may be. obtained:_,t;a,. reasonable pricCj : in •■'■ good1 Old '/English. S y C';EicURSidNS,BiS.iWA!TI_.Ri * ' A

. Several thousands -of I citizens availed -themselyes ,bf' the bppbftrinities;;.;offered by the various steamers .of - visiting. distant islands and hooks, but: the. weather was very close and uncomfortable,-with a constant succession Of light drizzling showers. THEHOT SPRINGS.. !

The- steamers 'Argyie and 'Rotomahana each conveyed "-a" goodly "number to this favourite resbrtj.und a very enjoyable day was spent. -> The Hobson Baud performed several lively airs on the down trip of the Argyie, and on arrival at the Springs played for dancing in the hotel. At the time for returning home, however, the band not having shown .up: at. the .boats. Captain Stephenson: was,' .reluctantly .compelled: to leave without thenis. ahd-it is expected they will get up tb-dayby' the Annie Miibknk. ■:.;.:•.■ ■At, F.MOTUTAPU./I":,. fy:. v-,-^ ;; Nearly 200..persons :visite"d;;thisapleasant island, foi-'Fthe-ptirposeFftf enjoying its qui-tudd£i' arid a" i-un: afaipng its, bharming scenery,.,sharing 'the ahospitalities' of' Mr R?idj the owner of the^islandi' -F.V. i

~ ~,... ..-,._....... KAWAIL , AA'<- ! '.-.:-, The lona started from the wharf at 10 o'clock with a band of music; for the island homei of. Sipi. George: Grey,.in the Kawau. The boat was:filled with,excursionists, and the merry airs pfjthe brass band gave eclat to the occasion. 1' 'Oh arriving at the island, the visitors were welcomed by Sir George Grey in his nsual' kindly manner, and he permitted them to walk about his trees and gardens,;aud note every .object of classical - _.d _botanical interest -in his genia; 1 and cultivated retreat. ■'- ■ '■- '■■<

-;._!--> ...,,-FEAST TAMAKI.- - j , _ 'While' the more remote and notable places of public resort received theii* teeming multitudes of excursionists, the nearer home aud less-frequented rural retreats were not without their share of visitors, and among these Buekland's paddock, Tamaki, had boat- : loads, 'bus-loads, arid cart-loads of people during the day. The Enterprise No .2. left the whai-f soonVafter 9 a.m., crowded with 'the members and friends of the. Baptist Church Bible:, Class, arid shortly /after "they arrived at Tariiaki, the stirring strains of mnsic were heard approaching from somewhere among the hills. ..,All the world (of that place) turned out'tp-w .I. .:pi-' f ''t'he newcomers, who proved -t.6 "beF a*-considerable troupe of Good-' 7 Templars,Ft_o_d»Fß_bwick, Panmure, and; NeVfriafkptF;;;!fAj&s lagain, later in the day^ the" Eu.erpris.ei brought another cargo of excursionists, so that the,; number present wa3 yery considerable. • ; Th6. weather wa^ unsettled.: but all s '<*$* <"' very enjoyable day, ' . . s ,{r r ' 6 oFQRESTERSFPROCESSIONS AINDifFETE. A 5fe c' :anniyersary.;Ofa Cowts-Oityibf.Aubkland-f AOs, wasiicelebrate.dr hy>- a. iproceßsjon ItoTitheDomaiP, w&erat_tea_mual_fe_e washehV, [Nearly i(500-_membersof _t_eivariousi_Cou,i.tS!e_-sembl,^d atthe Cook-street Hall, and marchedjto __he_Doma&t, -TiaFEarnelLand Newmarket, in-the following order:-_.A_it_t_lery Band, under Bandmaster Hunter; Co»_rt City of Auoldand;/©purfe Zesft landia;.Z_alan_ia^{ Pride (Juvenile pourt):,. .R^present&trfes. of;. Onehunga',--Panm ua.e>j} _,pd ; Da_rgayiU.eCbu__B.FQh-jfivalat the Domain a

programme of sports was anAAAL "~~* competitors being numerousß^,.*-_°uSh, the events well. cont-stedT T& w^ 6 '^ttl-SS 2000.'persons-present in the 7?nm?° ? ore tha.. and the Velocipede Circus wa Tin nF.?^^* music At four o'clock the processio?^w^*o*!?6 Motion the members returned tc"town ntoTTa^ni the CourtHouse the at homes to make preparations for ti? e ed to their m . CONCERT AND bat? This was held in the Choral SfeU&'k the concert/commencing at pi^tF. Ie .Teidnj. Shepherd, Chief Rangelocc&dol^' $& Songs were sung by Broth.ra AlinanK &hairand by Mrs Augur, and Brother Deml^H an Irish jig. The following repre?™^.^o^ other Societies addressed the SS- n Te._°f Christmas, Court ■ Zealandia, AolrS r°the r Moulden, Pioneer Lodge, NIobT? • i^r.^if'^tter gess,- Parnell Lodge, IGo_£ Brot__ P ? w thl r B»Sureka Lodge, NloOF; Brothei ■KinS* B?pw. -Robin Hood, AOF, Panmure; Br o fe& Court good, Zealandia's Pride, Ju.enjler^-iSOl^. Brother Hughes, lOOF,' American cS_f AP F i Dancing commenced at nine Vc.o c k &° nHooper officiating as M.C. TheTftnp &> J? ro _.h(* Artifiery Company, _nder BZdSfe^P 6 supplied the dance music. ""»««- Hunter,